When to Stay at the Kitchen Vs Move Back in Pickleball
Summary
All Things Pickleball says to stop backing up during hands battles unless you are on full defense. Staying up at the kitchen line keeps the attacking position; backing up changes your stance and makes you reactive instead of proactive. The coaching cue is to keep your feet planted, stay ready and stay aggressive.
Key takeaways
- During hands battles, staying up is the default unless you are on full defense
- Backing up changes your stance and gives up the attacking position
- Retreating makes you reactive instead of proactive
- Keep your feet planted, stay ready and stay aggressive
Action items
- In hands-battle drills, stay at the kitchen line unless the point is full defense
- Use ‘feet planted’ as the cue before the opponent’s contact
- Film one game and mark unnecessary retreats during hands battles
- After each exchange, reset to a ready, aggressive stance